A network device including a mounting rail having at least one mounting location. The mounting location defined by one or more device reference locators that define a mounting direction relative to that mounting location. A device connector attached to a device printed circuit board (PCB) is positioned to have a connecting direction parallel to the mounting direction.At least one module is provided for mounting to one of the mounting locations. The module including one or more module reference locators each adapted to engage one of the device reference locators when the module is positioned to be mounted to the mounting location. A module connector attached to a module PCB is positioned to have a connecting direction parallel to the mounting direction;The module connector and the device connector are positioned such that when the one or more module reference locators are each engaged with the one of the one or more device reference locators, and the module is advanced in the mounting direction towards the mounting location, the module connector and the device connector connect as the module mounts the mounting location to connect the module to the network device.
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1. A network device comprising: a mounting rail of the network device having at least a pair of opposed mounting locations on opposite sides of the mounting rail, each of the mounting locations defined by one or more device reference locators that define a mounting direction relative to that mounting location, and each mounting location including a device connector attached to a device printed circuit board (PCB) and positioned to have a device connecting direction parallel to the mounting direction of that mounting location, wherein the mounting direction for each of the opposed mounting locations on the opposite sides of the mounting rail is towards that side of the mounting rail, wherein the mounting directions of the opposed mounting locations are in opposite directions from one another; at least one module for mounting to one of the mounting locations, wherein the module includes corresponding one or more module reference locators each adapted to engage one of the one or more device reference locators when the module is positioned to be mounted to the one of the mounting locations, and wherein the module includes a module connector electrically attached to a module PCB and positioned to have a module connecting direction parallel to the mounting direction of the one of the mounting locations; wherein the module connector and the device connector are positioned such that when the one or more module reference locators are each engaged with the corresponding one or more device reference locators of the one of the mounting locations, and the module is advanced in the mounting direction of the one of the mounting locations towards the one of the mounting locations, the module connector and the device connector connect as the module mounts to the one of the mounting locations to connect the module to the mounting rail of the network device, wherein the device connector of each of the opposed mounting locations is attached to the device PCB with the device connecting direction approximately orthogonal to a surface of the device PCB, wherein the module connector is attached to the module PCB with the module connecting direction approximately orthogonal to a surface of the module PCB, and wherein each of the mounting directions of the opposed mounting locations is approximately orthogonal to the surface of the device PCB and the surface of the module PCB when the one or more module reference locators are each engaged with the corresponding one or more device reference locators.
A network device has a mounting rail with mounting locations on opposite sides. Each location has device reference points that define a mounting direction and a device connector on a PCB. The connector's connecting direction is parallel to the mounting direction. Modules attach to these locations. Each module has reference points matching the device's, and a module connector on a module PCB, also with a connecting direction parallel to the mounting direction. When the module's reference points engage the device's and the module is pushed towards the mounting location, the module connector and device connector connect, linking the module to the network device. The device and module connectors are orthogonal to their respective PCBs, and the mounting direction is orthogonal to both PCBs when the reference points are engaged.
2. The network device of claim 1 wherein for each mounting location, a device pin direction of the device connector and a module pin direction of the module connector are parallel to the connecting direction and each mounting direction.
In the network device described above, the device connector pins and module connector pins are aligned parallel to the connecting direction and the mounting direction for each mounting location, ensuring proper electrical contact when the module is mounted.
3. The network device of claim 1 wherein when the module advances in the mounting direction of the one of the mounting locations to connect the module to the device, the module connector is pressed into the module PCB and the device connector of the one of the mounting locations is pressed into the device PCB.
In the network device described above, as the module is pushed towards the device during mounting, the module connector is pressed into the module PCB, and the device connector is pressed into the device PCB, ensuring a secure and reliable electrical connection.
4. The network device of claim 1 wherein the one or more device reference locators and the corresponding one or more module reference locators of the one of the mounting locations comprise matched guide pin and receptacle pairs.
In the network device described above, the device reference points on the mounting rail and the corresponding module reference points consist of matching guide pins and receptacle pairs, which help align the module accurately during the mounting process.
5. The network device of claim 4 wherein the guide pin comprises a feature of the mounting rail.
In the network device where the device reference points and corresponding module reference points consist of matching guide pins and receptacle pairs, the guide pin is integrated as a physical feature of the mounting rail itself, simplifying assembly and ensuring consistent alignment.
6. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the one of the mounting locations comprises a device mounting surface and wherein the module has a corresponding device mounting surface, and wherein when the module is mounted on the one of the mounting locations, the module mounting surface is in contact with the device mounting surface.
In the network device described above, each mounting location includes a device mounting surface on the rail, and the module has a corresponding module mounting surface. When the module is attached, the module mounting surface makes direct contact with the device mounting surface, providing mechanical stability and potentially thermal transfer.
7. The network device of claim 6 further comprising a device aperture through the device mounting surface and a module aperture through the module mounting surface, wherein the device connector of the one of the mounting locations is located to connect to the module connector through the device aperture, and wherein the module connector is located to connect to the device connector of the one of the mounting locations through the module aperture.
In the network device with device and module mounting surfaces in contact, there's a device aperture through the device mounting surface and a module aperture through the module mounting surface. The device connector connects to the module connector through the device aperture, and the module connector connects to the device connector through the module aperture, allowing for a direct connection path.
8. The network device of claim 7 wherein the device connector of the one of the mounting locations and the module connector comprise a free height connector pair, the free height connector pair having a spacing to connect the device connector of the one of the mounting locations to the module connector when the module mounting surface is in contact with the device mounting surface.
In the network device with apertures for connector access, the device and module connectors are a "free height" connector pair. This pair has a specific spacing designed to allow them to connect when the module mounting surface is directly touching the device mounting surface, maintaining a low profile.
9. The network device of claim 6 wherein the module mounting surface and the device mounting surface are in sealing engagement when the module is mounted to the one of the mounting locations.
In the network device described above, the module mounting surface and the device mounting surface create a tight seal when the module is mounted, preventing dust or moisture from entering the connection area and enhancing reliability.
10. The network device of claim 6 , wherein the mounting rail further comprises a support portion adapted to capture and constrain the device PCB at a location proximate the device connector.
In the network device described above, the mounting rail includes a support structure that captures and secures the device PCB near the device connector. This support prevents PCB flexing and ensures a stable and reliable connector interface.
11. The network device of claim 1 , wherein the module corresponds to a first module, further comprising a second module for mounting with the first module as an opposed pair of modules mounted respectively to the opposed mounting locations.
The network device includes a first module, and further includes a second module designed to mount opposite the first. These modules form a pair, each mounting to opposing mounting locations on the mounting rail, allowing for mirrored or symmetrical expansion and functionality.
12. The network device of claim 11 wherein the device connectors of the opposed mounting locations are located on opposite sides of the device PCB, such that when the opposed first and second modules are mounted to the respective opposed mounting locations, and the module connectors of the first and second modules are connected to the device connectors of the respective opposed mounting locations, the module connectors of the first and second modules are in opposed alignment.
In the network device with opposed modules, the device connectors for each mounting location are on opposite sides of the device PCB. This arrangement ensures that when the modules are connected, their connectors face each other in opposite alignment, potentially for balanced signal routing or heat dissipation.
13. The network device of claim 12 , further comprising fasteners to secure the first and second modules to the respective opposed mounting locations, wherein the one or more device reference locators and the one or more module reference locators cooperate to position each of the fasteners relative to a corresponding fastener receiver on the mounting rail.
In the network device with opposed modules, fasteners secure the modules to the mounting rail. The device and module reference points work together to precisely position each fastener relative to a matching fastener receiver on the mounting rail, ensuring accurate and secure module attachment.
14. The network device of claim 13 , wherein mounting forces applied by the fasteners of each of first and second modules applied to the device PCB through the device connectors act in opposition such that the device PCB is in a compressed state between the opposed modules.
In the network device with opposed modules and fasteners, the mounting forces applied by the fasteners on each module act in opposition through the device connectors, putting the device PCB in a compressed state between the modules. This compressed state can improve mechanical stability and electrical contact reliability.
15. The network device of claim 11 wherein for each mounting location, a device pin direction of the device connector and a module pin direction of the module connector are parallel to the connecting direction and each mounting direction.
In the network device with the opposed first and second modules, the device pin direction of the device connector and the module pin direction of the module connector are parallel to the connecting direction and each mounting direction for each mounting location, ensuring correct electrical mating.
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December 4, 2013
August 8, 2017
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